Self-lubrication cable assembly

Abstract

A brake cable assembly includes a cable movably received in a sheath and an outer tube is mounted to the sheath and has an aperture defined through a wall of the outer tube. A shoulder extends inward from an inner periphery of the outer tube. A lubrication sleeve is received in the outer tube and contacts an end surface of the shoulder. Lubrication liquid is dropped to the lubrication sleeve via the aperture. The cable extends through the lubrication sleeve so as to be lubricated during operation. A seal member seals the aperture.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A self-lubricating brake cable assembly comprising: 
       (a) a cable having a distal actuating end and a proximal operating end;  
       (b) a sheath slidingly mounted on said cable;  
       (c) an outer tube having a first section, a second section and a third section, and defining a central passageway extending axially through said tube and defining at least one circumferential annular groove on an outer periphery of said outer tube, said at least one annular groove forming at least one annular flange extending into the central passageway, said first section of said outer tube receiving said sheath with said cable therein and said outer tube further having at least one aperture defined through a wall of the outer tube and located at said at least one annular groove, and a shoulder enclosed by said third section and extending inward from an inner periphery of the outer tube;  
       (d) a substantially cylindrical lubrication sleeve contiguous with said cable that is received in a central channel defined in said lubrication sleeve which is received within said second section of the outer tube and having a proximal end of the lubrication sleeve contacting an end surface of the shoulder, and a distal end of the lubrication sleeve contacting an endcap formed with a flange fixedly received within said first section and positioned adjacent to a proximal termination of the sheath, the aperture being in fluid communication with the lubrication sleeve; and  
       (e) means for reversibly sealing said aperture on said outer periphery; wherein said cable is slidingly contiguous with said lubrication sleeve and said lubrication sleeve functions as a depot for a lubricant and maintains an unmoving positional relationship with said outer tube, said means for reversibly sealing said aperture including a sealing member displaceable on said outer tube for reversible engagement with said annular groove.